CPI/Hadash Call for Netanyahu to Immediately Resign Premiership

The Communist Party of Israel (CPI) and Hadash (the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality) have called for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to immediately resign from his office following police recommendations to the state’s prosecution to indict him in connection with two corruption investigations.

An earthquake rocked the Israeli political establishment when the police endorsed charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust against Netanyahu on Tuesday, February 13.

Hadash poster: "Netanyahu go home!"

Hadash poster: “Netanyahu go home!”

Hadash MK Ayman Odeh, head of the Joint List said, “Netanyahu is a corrupt and dangerous prime minister and tonight he’s even more dangerous, because it’s clear that from the moment that his seat becomes unstable, he will do anything to stay in power. Netanyahu must go.” Another Hadash MK and leading member of the CPI, Dov Khenin, said the prime minister should immediately resign in light of the corruption charges.

Police have recommended that Netanyahu be indicted following two separate investigations opened against him. “Case 1000” centers on suspicions that Netanyahu received as much as one million shekels in gifts from businessmen and “friends” including film producer Arnon Milchan and Australian casino mogul James Packer in exchange for favorable government treatment. The gifts include expensive champagne and cigars given to Netanyahu during the course of his premiership.

“Case 2000” involves allegations that, in conversations between Netanyahu and with newspaper owner Noni Mozes, the two reached a quid pro quo arrangement whereby the daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth would give the PM more favorable coverage in exchange for the latter’s efforts to legislatively or otherwise limit the circulation of the newspaper’s main rival, the freely distributed Yisrael HaYom, considered a semi-official organ for pro-Netanyahu government policies.

“When the police maintain that the prime minister has taken bribes, it is not possible to think what other red lines need to be crossed before he has to step down from power,” said MK Khenin.